An Open Door

Short film ‘An Open Door’ by Aoise Tutty Jackson, explores how Skibbereen’s pioneering adult mental health service, 49 North Street, provides a space for hope and recovery for the local community. The film premiered at the Cork Film Festival 2018 as part of the ‘Best in Cork’ category. Winner of the Community Award at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2019, among other awards.

The film was officially launched during West Cork Feel Good Festival on October 4th 2020. It is now available online and can be viewed here. Comments and feedback warmly welcomed.

Robert Whitaker, publisher of madinamerica.com introduced the film:

‘Open Door is a beautiful short film that reminds us of our common humanity, our obligations to each other, and the healing powers of music, nature, and community. Today, there are efforts in many countries to rethink “psychiatric care,” and you see in this film, which so wonderfully captures a spirit of joy and hope among those who have struggled in their lives, a new way that has taken hold in a community near Cork, Ireland. It serves as an inspiring example of what is possible.’

Listen

As humanity faces its current unprecedented challenges, three extraordinary ordinary people are invited on a reflective journey, exploring how the act of listening may offer a promise of harmony in modern times.

Music Alive’s second collaboration with Aoise Tutty Jackson is on the documentary ‘Listen’ which had it’s World Premiere at Cork International Film Festival in Nov 2020. The film was also funded in part by Cork County Council. This film cemented a creative partnership with producer Maggie Ryan, and continued to expand on her work with 49 North Street.

Speaking about the project, Director Aoise Tutty Jackson said:

‘Listen’ is a film very close to our hearts. It further explores themes of mental health and wellbeing through the lens of ‘listening’ with it’s three participants Nóirín Ní Riain, Nick Murphy and Pat Bracken who graciously trusted us as filmmakers and caretakers of their stories.

In Nick, Pat and Nóirín we see very clear examples of people who have learnt and continue to learn how to listen to themselves. I feel this subject has huge power to allow a much needed space for reflection particularly amidst the rapidly changing and challenging times we are living in.

Keep tuned on Instagram to keep up to date of further screenings and information on the film’s release.

@escape_pod_media and @92circles

49 North Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

Most agree that giving to others is a good idea however giving to others has a knock on effect on ourselves by improving the givers mental wellbeing.

Most agree that giving to others is a good idea however giving to others has a knock on effect on ourselves by improving the givers mental wellbeing. From small acts of kindness to volunteering, giving can give you a sense of purpose, community and connectedness. Sometimes we think of our wellbeing in terms of what we have; our income, car, home or job. Evidence shows that what we do and the way we think has the biggest impact on mental wellbeing. Positive mental wellbeing means feeling good about yourself and the world around you and being able to get on with your life. Helping and supporting others and working with others towards a shared goal is good for our mental wellbeing. A 2003 study in 373 older adults found that some aspect of wellbeing were higher in those who did volunteer projects compared with those who did not. Scientists have shown that giving to others can stimulate the reward areas in the brain helping to create positive feelings. Helping others also gives a sense of purpose and feelings of self-worth.

Evidence show that good relationships with family, friends, colleagues and the wider community are important for mental wellbeing.

Many of us would like to spend more time with the people who are most important to us but sometimes life just gets in the way of that. We must make time to connect with the people that matter to us. By nurturing these relationships we feel happier and more secure, giving a better sense of purpose. A 2002 study of 222 students in the US found that the happiest amongst the group had stronger social relationships than those who were less happy. Some tips to stay connected:

Make time each day to connect with your family, friends and colleagues. This could include ‘family time’ that is a fixed time to connect each day.
Arrange a day out with friends you may not have connected with recently. Most people connect on social media sites like Facebook but a face to face contact spending your time with your friends is so much more meaningful and beneficial than a “like” or “comment” on Facebook.
Reduce your screen time when you are in company. Put the phone away, close your laptop, turn off the TV and have a chat.
Try connecting with someone new today. Talk to the person beside you on the train or in the shop. This conversation may mean even more to the person you connect with than you realise.
Leave your desk for your lunch and sit with a colleague catching up on non-work matters.
It can be as simple as a smile at a passer-by.

Learning new skills is both useful and it can also positively affect our mental wellbeing. Learning means different things to everyone. To some it will be a new qualification and to others it will be learning a new recipe in the kitchen.

Learning new skills is both useful and it can also positively affect our mental wellbeing. Learning means different things to everyone. To some it will be a new qualification and to others it will be learning a new recipe in the kitchen. Evidence shows that continuing to learn throughout life can help improve and maintain our mental wellbeing. Mental Wellbeing means feeling good about yourself and the world around you and being able to get on with your life the way you choose. In 2004 a study interviewed 145 adults about learning throughout life and various aspects of their health and wellbeing. It found that people who involved themselves in more learning reported feeling higher self-esteem, a greater ability to cope with stress, and more feelings of self-confidence, hope and purpose. Setting goals and working towards them plays an important part in the way learning influences wellbeing. Many forms of learning involve contact with others which connects us to our communities and peers.

It is easy to rush through daily life without stopping to notice much. Paying attention to the present moment – to our own thoughts, feelings and to the world around you can improve your mental wellbeing.

Taking Notice is also called Mindfulness. It is easy to incorporate mindfulness into your life and can be a very powerful tool if learnt and practiced daily. Mental wellbeing means being feeling good about life and yourself and having the ability to get on with life in the way you want. Many think about wellbeing in terms of what you have; your income, car, house or job. Evidence shows that what we do and the way we think have the biggest impact on wellbeing. To Take Notice is to notice the sights, smells, sounds and tastes you experience as well as your thoughts and feelings that occur from one moment to the next. It’s easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living in our heads. An important part of Taking Notice is to reconnect with our bodies and the sensations they are experiencing. It can be something as simple as the feel of your knife and fork in your hands. Most of us have issues we find hard to let go of and mindfulness can help us deal with them more productively. Awareness of this kind also helps us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and helps us deal with them better.

Being active is great for your physical and mental wellbeing. Evidence proves there is a link between being active physically and good mental wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing means feeling good about yourself, about the world around you and having the ability to get on with life in the way you want.
Being active doesn’t mean you need to train for a marathon. You need to find physical activity that you enjoy and can fit into your daily/ weekly routine. This may be a daily walk to the shops instead of taking the car, a weekly gardening session, some yoga, swimming or a weekend walk.
Scientists confirm physical activity can help maintain wellbeing and good mental health in a number of ways:
Physical activity helps with mild depression. Evidence shows it can protect people against the onset of depression and anxiety.
Physical activity causes a chemical change in the brain which can help change our mood.
Physical activity brings about a sense of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge – all of which help improve wellbeing.